Marco Mendicino, a former high-ranking cabinet minister in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, has announced that he will not run in the next federal election. Mendicino expressed gratitude for the support of his constituents in the Toronto riding of Eglinton—Lawrence and stated that he will remain a member of Parliament until the next election. He was first elected in 2015 and held various important positions in the government, including immigration minister in 2019 and public safety minister in 2021. Mendicino introduced firearms legislation in 2022 that aimed to address issues related to handgun sales, homemade guns, and assault-style weapons. This legislation faced strong opposition before becoming law in December 2023.
Mendicino was involved in significant events during his time in office, such as the government invoking the Emergencies Act in 2022 in response to the “Freedom Convoy” protests in Ottawa. He was later dropped from cabinet in a reshuffle in July 2023, a move seen as a response to his handling of the transfer of notorious criminal Paul Bernardo. Mendicino faced criticism for the transfer of Bernardo to a medium-security facility, sparking public outrage. He issued directives to improve communication on transfers of high-profile offenders and faced scrutiny for his handling of the situation.
In more recent developments, Mendicino has been a vocal supporter of the Jewish community and has advocated for stronger action against antisemitism. He expressed disagreement with the government’s approach to foreign policy, particularly in relation to Israel and the Middle East. Mendicino did not reveal his plans after leaving federal politics but mentioned that community leaders have encouraged him to continue playing a leadership role in Toronto. His decision not to run in the next election comes amidst turmoil within the Liberal caucus, with several MPs announcing they will not seek re-election.
The Liberal caucus has experienced significant changes, including the resignation of Chrystia Freeland as finance minister and deputy prime minister. Freeland cited disagreements with Trudeau over the country’s finances, leading to her replacement by Dominic LeBlanc in a cabinet shuffle. Several other Liberal MPs, including Mendicino, have also announced they will not run in the next election, prompting a growing number of calls for Trudeau to step down as leader. With the next federal vote scheduled to take place before October, the Liberal Party is facing challenges as it prepares for the upcoming election, with a number of key figures choosing not to seek re-election.
